Gloves for Handgun Shooters

ABSTRACT

Grip enhancing materials/inserts consisting of elastomeric and frictional coatings are deposited on the surface of the palm side of the glove where they are adjacent to a firearm being held, and on the surface of the back side of each of the gloves where they assist in gripping the hand holding the firearm, thereby assisting in the maintenance and stability of the two-handed grip. An elastic hand composed of Spandex or Lycra or similar material spans the knuckles and some of the space between the index finger and thumb, and may generally encircle the thumb base and at least some of the base of the forefinger, providing freedom in articulations of the hand, particularly the index finger, which is free from below and adjacent the outer joint to the free end from any frictional structures; likewise the hand web area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims an invention that was disclosed in part in U.S.Design Patent Application 29/441925, filed Jan. 10, 2013 entitled“Gloves for Handgun Shooter”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to gloves for shooters, and moreparticularly to gloves for handgun shooters. Specifically, the inventionpertains to gloves for handgun shooters including grip enhancingmaterials/inserts structures not only on the inside palm surface of theshooting glove where they will be adjacent to a firearm being gripped,but on the outside surface of the shooting glove where they will assistin gripping the hand holding the firearm by the shooter's other hand,thereby assisting in the maintenance and stability of the two-handedgrip being used in handgun shooting.

2. Relevant Prior Art

There have been a number of inventions relating to gloves for handgunshooters. Representative and/or exemplary patents in this field include:

(1) U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,093 for a “Shooting Glove” issued Sep. 28, 1971,to Edna M. Kirby.

(2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,667 for a “Grip Control Glove for a Handgun”issued Sep. 16, 1997, to Wilfred L. Hook, Jr.

(3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,884 for a “Handgun Support Glove” issued Feb. 2,1999, to Michael Salvitti.

(4) U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,285 B2 for a “Glove Construction Wherein PalmMaterial Rolls Over the Fingertip” issued Oct. 30, 2007. to Eric M.Jaeger and Eduard A. Jaeger.

(5) U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,718 B2 for a “Firearm Safety Gloves andWristbands” issued Dec. 11, 2007, to Ralph Avallone.

These prior inventions pertain to increasing grip through a variety ofmeans, including removable sleeves for the trigger finger, gripenhancing materials on the palm side of the glove, a strap in the palmof the glove that extends over the handgun handle, and even a pocket inthe glove to insert the handgun handle. However, all of these inventionsapply to a single-handed grip. None of these inventions are directed tothe two-handed grip now being used in handgun shooting. In contrast, theinstant invention applies specifically to maintaining and stabilizing atwo-handed grip. It achieves this end by providing for grip enhancingmaterial on each glove, not only on the inside palm surface of the glovebut also on the outside back surface of the glove, thereby enhancing thegrip by the supporting hand overlying the gloved hand holding thehandgun. Also, the preferred embodiment of the instant inventionprovides for an elastic hand composed of Spandex, Lycra or similarstretchable material on each glove that spans the knuckles and the spacebetween the forefinger and thumb, and also at least mostly encircles thebase of the thumb and at least partially the base of the forefinger. Theelastic band provides greater flexibility and comfort by minimizingtightness in the glove, that is typically felt at the knuckles andaround the thumb and forefinger when the hand is m a gripping position,and enables the shooting gloves to be more readily and snugly adaptableto various finger or hand sizes. The elastic band also provides enhancedgrip to the firing hand and the supporting hand.

Further, a large percentage of the prior art arrangements use awkwardand cumbersome designs for achieving grip enhancement that limit anycomfortable use of the glove beyond the moment the handgun is being heldin the firing hand. Hence, the glove has to be removed if the firinghand is needed to perform any task other task than holding the handgun.In contrast, the instant invention provides throughout a comfortable andthin material which does not severely limit or restrict varied use.Consequently, there is no need for immediate removal after firing inorder to avoid undue limitation, restriction, or discomfort in theperformance of any task beyond gripping the handgun. Also, because bothleft and right hand gloves in the instant invention have the sameconfiguration of grip enhancing material on the palm and back surfaces,a single set of gloves may be used interchangeably for a two-handed gripthat is left handed or right handed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided grip enhancingmaterials/inserts structures consisting of elastomeric and frictionalcoating spaced strips deposited on the surface of the palm side of theglove where they are adjacent to a firearm being held, and on thesurface of the back side of the glove where they assist in gripping thehand holding the firearm, thereby assisting in the maintenance andstability of the two-handed grip now being used in handgun shooting. Inparticular, as described and shown, the grip enhancing materials/insertsstructures are present on the palm, including just below the fingers,the palm side of the fingers and thumb, on the back side of the fingersand on the knuckle. The primary object of the invention, stabilizing andmaintaining the two-handed grip, is accomplished not only by gripenhancing materials on the palm, and inside surface of the fingers andthumb of the firing hand, adjacent the handgun, but also by theprovision of the grip enhancing materials on the inside surface of thesupporting hand and on the back side of the fingers and knuckle of thefiring band for the purpose of enhancing the grip of the supportinghand. The upper portion at least beyond the last joint of the forefingerthat grips the trigger is free from such grip enhancing material,thereby minimizing friction dud or the feel of the shooter relative tothe trigger.

In another aspect of the instant invention, there is provided, inaddition to the aforementioned grip enhancing material on the palm sideand back side of the glove, an elastic band composed of Spandex, Lycraor similar stretchable material. The elastic band spans the knuckle andthe space between the forefinger and thumb, and also mostly encirclesthe base of the thumb and at least partially the base of the forefinger.A particular object of the second embodiment, in addition to thestabilization of the two-handed grip, is to provide less restriction andgreater comfort in the articulations of the digits of the hand. Theelastic band also further enhances the gripping functions of the gloves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further object and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the gloves of theinvention showing the palm side of a left hand glove, the right handpalm side perspective view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 2 an devotional view of the palm side illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a plan view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the gloves of theinvention showing the palm side of a left hand glove, the right handpalm side perspective view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the palm view illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a back elevational view thereof;

FIG. 11 is right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a left side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the another embodiment of thegloves of the invention in use by a shooter with a first type oftwo-handed handgun grip; and

FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of the another embodiment of thegloves of the invention in use in a different type of two-handed handgungrip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With respect now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 7 depict the firstembodiment of the instant invention. FIGS. 1 through 4 depict theelevational views of the shooting glove 1, while FIGS. 6 and 7 depictthe top and bottom views of the shooting glove 1 respectively. Theshooting glove 1 for the firing hand 9 and the supporting hand 10 iscomposed of thin fabric or a similar material 3 and has grip enhancingmaterial/inserts structures 2 consisting of an elastomeric andfrictional coating deposited at various spaced locations or areas of theshooting glove 1. In particular, a illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, thegrip enhancing materials/inserts structures 2 are present in threespaced horizontal bands across the palm 2A, and in numerous smallhorizontal bands located on the palm just below the fingers, with theexception of the index finger, on the palm side of the fingers andthumb, on the back side of the fingers and across the knuckles. However,the upper portion of the forefinger 7, at least from adjacently belowthe far or outmost joint to the end of the forefinger, which will beadjacent and in contact with the trigger 11A (see, e.g., FIGS. 15 and 16and accompanying text), is free from such grip enhancing material 2,thereby providing greater articulation and freedom of movement and feelfor the trigger finger and preventing any increased friction relative tothe trigger by such forefinger 7. It is important to also note thatthere are no grip enhancing materials/inserts structures 2 on the glove1 adjacent the web of a user's hand, ie., the skin, that spans betweenthe thumb and the index finger, so that the user may properly draw thehandgun from the holster with the hand of the user being as high up onthe back strap or the hand grip as high as possible to reduce muzzleflip when the user fires the handgun. This allows the user to readilyand slidingly adjust the positioning of the hand with respect its properposition by the hand before closing the hand to grip the handgun beforefiring same.

With respect to the firing hand 9, the horizontal bands of gripenhancing material structures 2 on the palm 2A and the smallerhorizontal bands of grip enhancing material structures 2 on the palmjust below the fingers and on the palm side of the fingers and thumb arein direct contact with and directly adjacent the grip of the handgun,thereby aiding in the stability and maintenance of grip on the handgun11 (see, e.g. FIGS. 15 and 16 as described herein below). On thesupporting hand 10 the horizontal bands of grip enhancing materialstructures on the palm 2A, and the smaller horizontal bands of gripenhancing material structures 2 on the palm just below the fingers, andon the palm side of the fingers and thumb are all directly adjacent thefiring hand 9, thereby assisting in the principal object of gripping,stabilizing and maintaining a two-handed grip. The principal object isalso advanced by the smaller horizontal bands of grip enhancingmaterials on the knuckles and back of the fingers on the firing hand 9that provide additional interlocking friction between the firing hand 9and supporting hand 10 and thus a more stable grip for the supportinghand 10 that enhance the grip and stability of the handgun by bothhands.

A vertical orientation on the fingers of the shooting glove 1 of thespaced grip enhancing material structures 2 would not enhance thegripping motion of the hand which would require the structures to befolded over on themselves when the hand closes, whereas such is avoidedby the horizontal orientation of these structures. Likewise, for thisreason, the horizontal orientation of the structures serves to increasecomfort and ease of usage for the shooting glove 1, because it preventsthe grip enhancing material from opposing a normal gripping motion bythe hand wearing the glove, as would be the case if the structures werein a vertical orientation.

FIGS. 8 through 14 depict another embodiment of the instant invention.FIGS. 8 through 12 depict the elevational views of the shooting glove 1,while FIGS. 13 and 14 depict the top and bottom views of the shootingglove 1 respectively. The another of the shooting glove 1 isdistinguished by the presence of an elastic stretchable band 8 composedof Spandex, Lycra or similar fabric material. As illustrated in FIGS. 9and 10, the elastic band 8 spans the knuckles and the space between theforefinger and thumb, and substantially encircles the base of the thumband at least partially the base of the forefinger. By extending acrossthese portions of the shooting glove 1, the elastic band 8 provides forsuperior articulation and flexibility at the points of the shootingglove 1 experiencing the greatest stretching forces and highest tensionwhen the glove 1 is used to grip either the handgun or the gloved handgripping the handgun. In particular, it provides greater comfort andreduced restriction or tension in the shouting glove 1 when the grip ofthe handgun 11 is held in a firing position (See, e.g. FIGS. 15 and 16as described further herein below).

The positioning of the elastic band 8 also provides enhanced grip forboth the hand 9 holding the handgun and the supporting hand 10. Theportion of the elastic band 8 that extends across the knuckles andsubstantially encircles the thumb on the back side of the hand enhancesthe grip of the supporting hand 10 on the firing hand 9. The portion ofthe elastic band 8 that spans the space between the thumb and at leastpartially around the base of the forefinger and encircles palm-ward thebase of the thumb and forefinger enhances the firm grip for thesupporting hand 10, as it engages the firing hand 9 and for the firinghand 9 as it grips the handgun 11.

FIGS. 15 and 16 depict common two-handed grips using the second orpreferred embodiment of the shooting gloves 1, although the handpositions are also applicable to the first embodiment of the instantinvention. FIG. 15 depicts an overlapping grip where the supporting hand10 is over and generally aligned with and facing the hand 9 holding thefirearm 11. FIG. 16 depicts a grip where the supporting hand 10 isunderneath and cupping the firing hand 9 at the base of the grip of thehandgun 11.

PARTS AND FEATURES ILLUSTRATED IN DRAWING FIGURES

-   -   1 shooting glove    -   2 grip enhancing material/or structures    -   2 a horizontal grip enhancing strips on palm    -   3 thin fabric or similar material    -   4 Velcro strap    -   5 palm side of shooting glove    -   6 back side of shooting glove    -   7 portion of forefinger adjacent trigger    -   8 elastic Spandex or Lycra band    -   9 firing hand    -   10 supporting hand    -   11 handgun    -   11 a handgun trigger

In view of the foregoing, it should be clear that numerous changes andvariations can be made without exceeding the scope of the inventiveconcept outlined. Accordingly, it is to be understood that theembodiment(s) of the invention herein described, is/are merelyillustrative of the application of the principles of the invention.Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiment(s) is notintended to limit the scope of the claims, which will recite thosefeatures regarded as essential to the invention.

1. A shooting glove, comprising: a glove having inner and outer surfacesand formed in the shape of a human hand with a palm portion, a backportion, finger portions including an index finger portion, knuckleportions, a thumb and joints and spaced along the finger and thumbportions: said finger portions having a palm facing side and a backfacing side, and a plurality of spaced friction enhancing structures onat least the back facing sides of at least some of said finger portions.2. The shooting glove of claim 1, further comprising spaced frictionenhancing structures on at least one of: said palm facing sides of saidfinger portions, palm facing sides of said thumb, and said palm portion.3. The shooting glove of claim 1, wherein at least one of: said frictionenhancing structures are disposed in strips transverse to lengths ofsaid finger portions, areas of friction enhancing structures extendinglaterally on said palm facing side of said finger portions and onto thepalm portion, the palm facing side of said index finger portion at leastfrom below the outmost joint being free of friction enhancing structuresin an area remote from said palm.
 4. The shooting glove of claim 2,wherein at least one of said friction enhancing structures beingdisposed in strips transverse to said finger portions, areas of frictionenhancing structures on palm facing sides of said finger portions,except the index finger, extend onto the palm portion, the palm facingside of the index finger portion being free of friction enhancingstructures adjacently below an outmost joint of the index finger portionin an area remote from the palm.
 5. The shooting glove of claim whereinsaid glove further includes an elastic band extending at least one ofacross said knuckle portions, substantially around said thumb portion ata juncture between said thumb portion and said palm and back portions,across a juncture between said index finger and said palm, and acrosssaid knuckle portions and around said thumb portion at a juncturebetween said thumb portion and said palm and back portions so as to alsoextend across a juncture between said index finger and said palm.
 6. Theshooting glove of claim 2, wherein said glove further includes anelastic band extending at least one of across said knuckle portions,around said thumb portion at a juncture between said thumb portion andpalm and back portions, across a juncture between said index finger andsaid palm, and across said knuckle portions and substantially aroundsaid thumb portion at a juncture between said thumb portion and saidpalm and said back portion so as to extend across a juncture betweensaid index finger and said palm.
 7. The shooting glove of claim 3,wherein said glove further includes an elastic, band extending at leastone of: across said knuckle portions, substantially around said thumbportion at a juncture between said thumb portion and said palm and backportions, across a juncture between said index finger and said palmportion, and across said knuckle portions and around said thumb portionat a juncture between said thumb portion and said palm and back portionsso as to also extend across a juncture between said index finger andsaid palm portion.
 8. The shooting glove of claim 1, wherein said glovefurther includes a web portion between an index finger and a thumb of auser, said web portion being free of any friction enhancing structuresso that the use can readily adjust the gloved hand with respect to thehand grip of the handgun before closing the grip of such gloved hand onthe hand grip of the handgun.
 9. A method for using a pair of shootinggloves, comprising: providing right and left hand gloves having innerand outer surfaces and formed in the shape of a human hand with a palmportion, a back portion, finger portions including an index fingerportion, knuckle portions intermediate the back and finger portions, andthumb portions, wherein the finger portions have a palm facing side anda back facing side, and a plurality of spaced friction enhancingstructures on back facing sides and front facing sides of at least someof the finger portions; and gripping a handgun with one of the gloveswhile embracing and gripping at least an outer and back portion of theone glove holding the handgun with a palm portion of another of thegloves.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one glove holding thehandgun with the other of the gloves includes embracing and grippingfriction enhancing structures on back facing side of finger portions ofthe one glove being embraced and gripped by the other glove.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the gloves further include spaced frictionenhancing structures on the palm side and the palm facing side of thethumb portion.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one glove holdingthe handgun with the other of the gloves includes embracing and grippingfriction enhancing structures on back facing side of finger portions ofthe one glove being embraced and gripped by the friction enhancingstructures on the fingers of the other glove.
 13. The method of claim 9,wherein at least one of: the friction enhancing structures are disposedin strips transverse to lengths of the finger portions, areas offriction enhancing structures on palm facing sides of the fingerportions extend onto the palm portion, the palm facing side of the indexfinger portion being free of friction enhancing structures in an areadistant from the palm, and horizontal grip enhancing strips are spacedlylocated on the palm portion.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein each ofthe gloves further includes elastic bands extending at least one of:across the knuckle portions, substantially around the thumb portion at ajuncture between the thumb portion and the palm and back portions,across a juncture between the index finger and the palm portion, andacross the knuckle portions and substantially around the thumb portionat a juncture between the thumb portion and the palm and back portionsso as to also extend across a juncture between the index finger and thepalm portion.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of: thefriction enhancing structures is disposed in spaced strips transverse tolengths of the finger portions, spaced strips on palm facing sides ofthe finger portions extend onto the adjacent palm portion, the palmfacing side of the index finger portion being free from frictionenhancing structures remote from the palm, and horizontal grip enhancingstrips being located, on the palm portion.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the glove further includes elastic bands extending at least oneof: across the knuckle portions, substantially around the thumb portionat a juncture between the thumb portion and the palm and back portions,across as juncture between the index finger and the palm portion, andacross the knuckle portions and substantially around the thumb portionat a juncture between the thumb portion and the palm and back portionsso as to also extend across a juncture between the index finger and thepalm portion.
 17. The method of claim 9, wherein said glove furtherincludes a web portion between an index finger and a thumb of a user,said web portion being free of any friction enhancing structures so thatthe user can readily adjust the gloved hand with respect to the handgrip of the handgun before closing the grip of such hand on the handgrip of the handgun
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the glovefurther includes elastic bands extending at least one of: across theknuckle portions, substantially around the thumb portion at a juncturebetween the thumb portion and the palm and back portions, across ajuncture between the index finger and the palm portion, and across theknuckle portions and substantially around the thumb portion at ajuncture between the thumb portion and the palm and back portions so asto also extend across a juncture between the index finger and the palmportion.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the one glove holding thehandgun with the other of the gloves holding the one glove includesspaced embracing and gripping friction enhancing structures on backfacing side of finger portions of the one glove being embraced andgripped by palm facing embracing and gripping structures of the other ofthe gloves.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the one glove holdingthe handgun with the other of the gloves includes embracing and grippingfriction enhancing structures on back facing side of finger portions ofthe one glove being embraced and gripped by the palm facing side of thefingers having spaced finger enhancing structures on the other of the ofthe gloves.